Printing apparatus



March 12, 1940. M, ET ZL R 2,193,213

PRINTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 14, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l g /fl(INVENTOR BY ATTORNEY March 12, 1940. w z 2,193,213

PRINT ING APPARATUS Original Filed May 14, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ni-M1 ms w INVENTOR ATTORN EY March 12, 1940. WETZLER 2,193,213

PRINTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 14, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 L0 253 M I INVENTOR H 4! 2,

F Q WMX ATTORN EY March 12, 1940. WETZLER PRINTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 14, 193 4 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR H w ww ATTORNEY March 12, 1940. 4 WETZLER 2,193,213

PRINTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 14, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 941 22 P TW 25 1] II I |||l|| In 1 INVENTOR M 7 Y ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application May 14, 1934, Serial Renewed August 3, 1939 19 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in the transmission of signals, characters, symbols, etc., and for recording the same, and more particularly has reference to and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in its application to the transmission and recording of information such as is commonly displaced by stock tickers and printers.

Referring to said drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective, parts being broken away, a suitable form of ticker or receiving printer embodying parts of my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail in perspective illustrating a conventional form of perforator for the tape, usually of paper. Fig. 3 illustrates in perspective a conventional form of translating device which transmits by electrical impulses the perforated characters of the tape fed thereto. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of decoding relay and transmitting circuits adapted to receive the impulses from the 20 translating device illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5

diagrammatically illustrates transposing circuits actuated by the electrical impulses from the circuits shown in Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the receiving printing cir- 25 cuits. Fig '7 is a View in side elevation, partly in longitudinal section of the mechanism set forth in Fig. 1, Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail looking from right to left thereat, Fig. 9 is a plan view of the magnet arrangement, and Fig. 10 a detail of the printing device.

My system employs a line frequency which requires only half as many impulses per character to be printed as the present permutation code ticker. Tests and experience have proven that line frequencies of greater than 34 cycles per second are not satisfactory on start-stop systems for all practical purposes. It will therefore be obvious that the system herein disclosed will print twice as many characters in a given time as the present permutation code ticker, the operating frequencies being even.

The present permutation code ticker requires eight impulses per character signal. Five signals are employed in various combinations for character designations, one signal is required for shifting from the upper to the lower case, one signal is required for starting the receiving distributor and another for bringing the distributor to rest. Each signal (other than the start-stop signals which are fixed) is capable of one of two operative conditions. That is, positive or negative, positive or no current, or negative or no current.

In my system. only four impulses are required for each character operation, each impulse being capable of three operative conditions. That is,

each impulse may be either positive, negative or no current. The start and stop impulses have been combined with the first and fourth impulses. The first impulse of a character signal acts as a start signal and also indicates whether the prc 5 viously selected character shall be printed in the upper or lower case. The last three impulses indicate the character to be printed, the last impulse also acting as a stop impulse. The receiving mechanism is so arranged that having come to rest at the end of the last impulse it will remain so until a signal of a different operative condition is received. That is, if the last signal was of no current character the next signal would have to be either positive or negative, if positive the first signal of the next character would be negative or no current, and if the last signal was negative the next signal would be positive or no current.

The first signal of a character as previously mentioned serves also to indicate whether the previous character is in the upper case or the lower case. The receiving mechanism is arranged to print in the upper case if the first impulse is of a positive character and to print in the lower case if a no current impulse. Should the fourth impulse of the previous character be positive, then a negative first signal will cause the character to be printed in the upper case and should the fourth signal be a no current impulse, the following impulse if of a negative type will cause the mechanism to print in the lower case.

While the code for operating the printer described herein may originate at a keyset and be transmitted without transformation, it is believed that the use of the well known perforators and tape transmitters may be desirable from an economic point of View, therefore, mechanisms for decoding the six unit code therefrom, recoding and retransmitting it in the new form are disclosed herein.

Figures 4 and 5 represent the decoding, recoding and retransmitting devices of which TT represents schematically a tape transmitter through which a previously prepared perforated 5 tape is passed. Relays DI, D2, D3, D4, D5 and D5 are decoding relays which operate from the marking contacts M of tape transmitter IT, in accordance with the character perforations of the tape. The armatures and contacts of these relays are so coded. that for each combination in which they are operated one of a group of 27 conductors G will be connected to armature l of relay DI. Each of the conductors of group G is connected to an associated character relay A to Z and BL inclusive, Figure 5.

The contacts and armatures of each character relay are so connected that when the relay is operated a different combination of relays PI, P2, P3, NI, N2 and. N3 is setup. The latter relays control the line signals for the last three impulses of a character.

TD represents a rotary distributor developed in a plane of which ring RI is divided into four segments for sending the four impulses for each character. Ring R2 is solid and is connected to the line to the printer. Brush BI is adapted to connect ring R2 to the segments of ring RI as the brush rotates. Ring R3 has four segments of which D is a dead segment and segments CI, C2, and C3 are control segments operating timing relays to be described later. Ring R4 has three segments of which D is a dead segment. Segment TS is connected to the stepper magnet SM of tape transmitter TT which serves to step the perforated tape through the tape transmitter. Segment OP is connected to the six marking contacts M of tape transmitter TT. Ring R5 is solid and is grounded. Brush B2 is adapted to connect ground from ring R5 to the various segments of rings R3 and R as the brushes rotate.

The first five positions on the perforated tape represent a character in both the upper and lower case, the sixth position however determines Whether the character is in the upper or lower case. Similarly, the last three impulses of the retransmitted code represent a character in either case and the first impulse of the following character signal indicates the case position. Case selection relays CS and CSI operating in conjunction with the control relays and contact 6 of the tape transmitter TT control the signal for determining the case in which the character is to be printed.

The operation of the transmitter is as follows:

When the distributor is at rest due to the brushes BI and B2 being engaged by the latch LI of release magnet RLS negative battery is held on the line through ring RI, brush BI to segment four of ring I, break contact and armature I of N3 relay, break contact of armature I of P3 relay and thence to negative battery. This holds the printer in operating condition (printer to be explained later).

It will be assumed that a previously prepared perforated tape, the characters of which are preceded by one blank position, is placed in the tape transmitter TT. Switch SW is closed which connects ground on one side of the winding of the release magnet RLS operating it to battery on the other side. As the latch LI of the release magnet RLS is drawn from the path of the brushes BI and B2 these brushes begin to rotate.

As brush BI passes over segment I of ring RI a no current signal is transmitted to the line, the conductor from segment I through armature I and break contact of relay CSI being open at make contact of armature 2 of relay N3. At this time ground is connected from ring R5, through brush B2, segment TS of ring R4 to the winding SM of tape transmitter TT and thence to battery. Step magnet SM operates and steps the perforated tape one character forward placing the code for the first character in control of the contacts I to 6 inclusive of tape transmitter 'I'I. (It will be assumed that the character is Y.) As the brush BI passes over segments 2, 3 and. 4 of ring RI, negative battery is supplied to the line through break contact and armatures I of relays NI and PI, N2 and P2, and N3 and P3 respectively.

As brush B2 passes over segment C3 of ring R3, relay C3 was operated but performed no function at this time. Brush B2 in passing off segment TS opened the segment to the step magnet SM of tape transmitter 'I'I which permitted the tongues I, 3 and 5 to operate to the marking contacts M and the tongues 2, 4 and 6 to the spacing contacts S of tape transmitter TT, in accordance with the code for Y. Ground from ring R5, through brush B2, segment OP of ring R4 is applied to the marking contacts M as above explained, extend ground to the windings of the associated decoding relays DI, D3, D5 and D5 which operate to battery on the other side of the windings.

Brush B2 in passing over segment CI of ring R3 extended ground to the winding of control relay CI causing it to operate its contacts. The make contact and armature of the make-beforebreak contact 2 of relay CI extended ground to the armature I and its make contact of relay DI and thence through armature I and its break contact of relay D2, armature 2 and its make contact of relay D3, armature 3 and its make contact of relay D4, and armature 5 and its make contact of relay D5 to conductor Y of group G which is connected to the lower winding of character relay Y, said relay operating.

As brush B2 passed off segment CI of ring vR3, relay CI was released and caused ground to be extended through the break contact of the make-before-break contact 2 over conductor LC to the make contact and armature I of character relay Y, to the upper winding of said relay and thence to battery. This locked the character relay Y operated.

Brush B2 in contacting segment C2 of ring R3 operated relay C2. Ground from the make contact and armature of make-before-contact I is extended over lead DI to armatures and contacts 2 and 3 of relay Y and thence over leads PI and N2 to windings I of relays PI and N2 respectively, operating these relays to battery on the opposite side of the windings.

As brush BI bridges segment I of ring RI to the line ring R2, a no current impulse is transmitted to the line, as the conductor from segment I through armature I and its break contact of relay CSI is open at the make contact of armature 2 of relay N3.

Brush B2 in passing off segment C2 of ring R3 caused the C2 relay to release, extending ground through the break contact of make-before-break contact I of the C2 relay to the make contacts of armatures of relays PI, P2, NI and N2. The PI and N2 relays being previously operated as explained above now look in the operated position by means of the ground through contact and armature 2 to winding ii, thence to battery.

As brush B2 connects ground to segment TS of ring R4 the tape is stepped so that the next character may actuate the 6 tongues of tape transmitter TT.

Brush B2 in connecting ground to segment C3 of ring R3 causes the relay C3 to operate. Ground from make contact and armature of make-before-break contact I of relay C3 is extended over conductor D2 to armature 3 and the make contact of relay Y and thence over conductor N3 to the winding I of relay N3, operating this relay to battery on the other side of the winding.

As brush B2 passes off segment C3 of ring R3 '2, 198,2 1 3 relay C3 releases and extends ground through,

break contact of make-before-break contact I of relay C3 to contacts of armature 3 of relays N3, P3 and CSI. Relay N3 now locks to this ground through its armature and the make contact 3 and winding 2, to battery.

As brush Bi connects segment 2 of ring RI to ring R2 and thence to line, a positive impulse is transmitted over the line, segment 2 of ring RI being connected through make contactand armature 3 of relay PI to positive battery. Brush BI in passing over segment 3 causes a no current signal to be transmitted as the conductor from segment 3 is opened at armature and break contact I of relay N2. Likewise the conductor from segment 4 is opened at break contact I of relay N3 causing a no current signal to be transmitted as the brush BI passes over the segment. At this time 2 revolutions of the brushes have been completed. During the first revolution 4 impulses, no current, negative, negative and negative were transmitted and during thesecond revolution the 4 impulses were, no current, positive, no current and no current.

As brush B2 connected ground over segment OP to the marking contacts M of tape transmitter TT, relays DI to D5 and D5 inclusive were operated in accordance with the perforations in the tape representing the next character to be transmitted.

Ground from brush B2 over conductor from segment CI caused the CI relay to operate its contacts. As ground was removed from the break contact and extended over the armature of make-before-break contact I the character relay Y was released and another character relay was operated in accordance with the combination of relays DI to D5 and D5 inclusive operated.

Relay C2 in operating released the PI and N2 relays by removing ground from the break contact of make-before-break contact I. Inextending ground over the armature of make-beforebreak contact I a combination of relays PI,'P2, N I and N2 were operated in accordance with the recoding done by the selected character relay. Likewise the C3 relay in operating controls the release and resetting of the P3 and N3 relays in accordance with the recoding of the character relays.

Adjacent characters on the type wheel of the printer are represented by the same combination of impulses 2, 3 and 4. Thefirst signal as previously explained, functions as a start impulse and also causes the mechanism to print the previous selected character in the upper or lower position as the case might be.

Each combination of contacts I to 5 inclusive of tape transmitter TT likewise represent an upper and lower case character. The sixth contact controls the shift, the character being in the upper case with tongue 5 operated to the spacing side S and in the lower case when tongue 6 is closed to the marking contact M.

When tongue 6 is closed to marking contact M indicating that the character is in the lower case, ground supplied from segment OP of ring R by grounded brush B2 is extended to make contact I of relay CI when it operates to the lower winding I of relay CS and thence to battery causin said relay to operate. As relay CI releases, its armature 3, which is so adjusted that it makes with its contact before armature 2 interrupts its circuit, extends ground to contact and armature I of the (IS-relay toits winding in battery causing the CS to remain operated.

During the next revolution of the distributor when relay C3 operates, ground from its armature I is extended through armature and contact 2 of relay CS to winding I of relay CSI causing said relay to operate. Upon the release of relay C3, relay CSI locks to battery through its winding 2, armature and contact 3 and thence to ground on the break contact of make-before-break contact I of relay C3.

Relay CSI when operated connects positive battery from armature 2 and break contact of relay P3 to armature I and make contact of relay CSI and thence to segment I of ring RI, so that as this segment is bridged to ring R2 during the next revolution of the distributor, a positive signal is transmitted to the line. However, if the fourth impulse of the previous revolution was positive, this being indicated by the operated relay P3, negative battery from armature I and make contact of relay P3 through armature I and make contact of relay CSI to segment I will be transmitted instead.

Likewise, relay CSI when operated causes a signal of no current character to be transmitted from segment I unless the fourth impulse of the previous revolution was no current, in which event the N3 relay will be operated and cause negative battery from make contact 2 of relay N3, armature I and break contact of relay CSI and thence to segment I of ring Rl to be transmitted when this segment is bridged to ring R2 by brush BI. 1

Figures 1 and 6 represent the printing mechand ground. These relays respond. to the transmitted impulses. The tongue of relay LI normally rests against its right hand contact. When a negative impulse is transmitted over the line the tongue of relay LI operates to the left hand contact. The tongue of relay L2 normally rests against its right hand contact and when a positive impulse is received it operates its tongue to the left hand contact.

Relays PI, P2, P3, NI, N2 and N3 receive the last three impulses transmitted during each revolution of the distributor. These relays operate in accordance with the signals received, that is, relays Pl, P2 and P3 respond to positive impulses and relays N I, N 2 and N3 respond to no current impulses. Of the three pairs of relays, namely, PI and NI, P2 and N2, and P3 and N3, only one relay of each pair may be operated at the same time, as each succeeding signal received can be of only one characteristic, that is, if thesignal allocated by the operation of cam 2 to relay PI and relay NI should be positive in character, relay PI would operate and a signal of no-current character would cause the operation of relay NI. When negative impulses are transmitted none of these relays operate. When the code for a character has been stored on these relays during one revolution, the transfer relay TSFR which operates from a contact on cam 4, causes this code to be transferred to the corresponding selector magnets PI, P2 and P3, NI, N2 and N3.

In a manner similar to the pairs of relays PI and NI, P2 and N2, and P3 and N3, only one magnet and its associated selector disc I5, Fig. 8, of each of the pairs of selector magnets PI and NI, P2 and N2, and P3 and N3 may be operated at a time. As the distributor comes to rest at the end of a revolution, cam I opens its contact 3 causing the previously selected combination of relays PI, P2, P3, NI, N2 and N3 to release in preparation for the signal to be received during the next revolution.

Start relay ST responds to the first impulse received causing the distributor to rotate for one revolution.

Case shift relay CS may respond to the first impulse. It controls the operation of relay CSI which in turn determines the position in which the previously received character is to be printed.

Stepper magnet SP is actuated once during each revolution of the receiving distributor and functions to move the tape one position forward at each operation.

Print magnets PU and PL individually operate and associated print hammer H which presses the tape against the selected character on the type wheel TW causing said character to be printed on the tape T in the upper or lower case depending on the condition of case shift relay CSI.

Cut-off relay CO is a slow releasing relay whose operating circuit may be interrupted for short intervals of time without causing the contacts controlled thereby tomove from the operated position. Cut-off relay CO is so connected that it will remain operated when negative battery is on line and when the distributor is rotating. Battery being removed from the line for a given length of time causes relay CO to release, stopping the motor and deenergizing the equipment within the printer.

The following is a description of the functions of the printer during normal operation. It will be assumed that the transmitter is at rest and extending negative battery over the line through relays Li and L2 to ground. The tongue of relay LI extends ground over the left hand contact through the break contact and armature of cam 6 and thencev through the winding of relay CO to battery. Cut-off relay CO operates and connects battery to the motor M and the associated printer equipment.

It will be assumed that the signals transmitted during the discussion of the transmitter will be received by this mechanism.

As the first no current signal is received relay LI operates its grounded tongue to the right hand contact extending ground through the right hand contact of relay L2, break contact and armature of relay N3, contact I of cam I and thence through the lower winding of relay ST to battery. Relay ST operates and connects ground from armature 2 to its make contact I through the winding of start magnet SM to battery. As the start magnet SM is energized it withdraws latch L2 from the path of stop; cam SC permitting the distributor to make one revolution.

The speed of the distributor is such that the contacts on cam I to 4 inclusive will be closed at the time that the associated impulses I to 4 inclusive are being transmitted. That is, the contacts of cams I to 4 inclusive are operated successively and in synchronism with the impulse being transmitted.

As the distributor begins to rotate, tongue I of cam 6 is moved to the opposite grounded contact which holds the cut-off relay CO operated during the rotation of the distributor.

As the second impulse which is negative is received relay LI operates its grounded tongue to the right hand contact. At this time cam 2 has closed its associated contacts but no function is performed by this negative signal, as the conductor from the left hand contact of relay LI is open at the make contact of armature I of relays P3 and N3. Similarly, as the third and fourth impulses which are negative are received no functions are caused.

At the time cam 5 caused its grounded armature I to move to the opposite contact ground was extended through the break contact I of relay CSI in parallel with contact NS to the stepper magnet winding SP and thence to battery causing the tape to be stepped one position forward in preparation for the printing of the character. As cam 4 closed its contacts, ground on the make contact of armature I was extended through the relay winding TSFR causing the transfer relay to function. This same ground from the armature I of cam 4 through the armature 2 and break contact of relay CSI to the winding of print magnet PU and the battery caused the upper case printing mechanism to function. Since the selector discs SD controlled by magnets PI, P2, P3, NI, N2 and N3 were in their normal positions the type wheel was so positioned that a dot was caused to be printed on the upper part of the tape.

During the next revolution of the distributor 4 signals which are no current, positive, no current and no current are to be received. As the first signal which is no current is received the operation of the tongue of relay LI to the. left contact causes the operation of the start relay ST which in turn causes the start magnet SM to engage its latch L2 and permit the distributor to make a revolution.

As the second impulse which is positive is received, the tongue of relay LI closes ground through its right contact to the tongue of relay L2 which operates and extends said ground through the contacts I of cam 2 and thence to the lower winding of relay PI to battery. Relay PI having operated, looks from battery through its lower and upper windings and armature and make contact I to the contacts 3 of cam I to ground.

As the third impulse is received, which is a no current impulse, the tongue of relay L2 operates to the right hand contact extending ground to the contacts I of cam 3 and thence to the lower winding of relay NZ to battery, said relay operating and locking from battery through its lower and upper windings, armature I and contact to ground on contacts 3 of cam I.

Similarly, as the fourth impulse which is no current is transmitted and the cam 4 has closed its contacts to receive this signal, ground through the tongue and right contact of LI, tongue and right contact of relay L2, contacts 2 of cam 4 and thence to the lower winding of relay N3 causing the relay to operate and lock through its lower and upper windings and make contact 2 to the ground and make contact 3 of cam I.

As the cam 5 operated its. armature I the tape was again caused to be moved 1 position forward by means of the stepper magnet SP.

As cam 4 closed its contact 1, print magnet PU was caused to operate and again print a dot on the upper part of the tape, also the TSFR no-current.

,198,218. relaywas operated, extending ground from its make contacts and armatures I to 6 inclusive to the PI, P2, P3, Nl, N2 and N3 relays respectively. Relays PI, N2 and N3 having been operated during this revolution-extend the ground from armatures I, 5 and 6 respectively through their make contacts and armatures 3 and thence to the selector magnets Pl, N2 and N3 respectively operating them to battery on the other side. As the relay TSFR releases, it extends ground over the break contacts ofits make-before-break contacts I to 6 inclusive permitting the operated selector magnets to lock on their make contacts I to the associated grounds.

As selector magnets Pl, NE and N3 were. operated, their associated selector discs were operated causing the previously selected stop pin to be disengaged from the type wheel stop arm, simultaneously, a stop pin P- corresponding to the selected code drops into the path of the type wheel stop arm SA causing said type wheel to be so positioned that the character (upper and lower case) corresponding to the code, may be printed on the tape during the next revolution of the receiving distributor, at which time another character code may be received on relaysv PI, P2, P3, NI, N2 and N3.

Of the pairs of relays PI and NI, P2 and N2, and P3 and N3, only one relay of each pair may be operated during the same period of time, as the signal received during the time that a pair of relays is connected to the line relays is of only one characteristic. That is, the signal received may be either positive, negative or Therefore, of the three pairs of discs Hi associated with the PI, and NI, P2 and N2, and P3 and N3 pairs of relays, only one disc of each pair of discs maybe operated from their normal positions during the same interval As explained in the transmitter description, the first impulse cannot be of the same polarity as the last impulse of the previous signal. Therefore, if it is desired to print a character in the upper case, the last impulse having been no current which operated the N3 relay, it will be necessary for the first impulse of the next character impulse to be negative. This will cause relay LI to operate its grounded tongue to the left contact extending ground through the make contact of armature I of the N3 relay and thence through the contact of cam I operating the start relay ST. Similarly, if the last impulse of a revolution is a positive impulse which operated the P3 relay, and it is desired to print in the lower case, the first impulse of the next character revolution will be negative. The relay LI in operating its grounded tongue to the left contact will extend ground through make contact and armature I of relay P3 and thence through contact 2 of cam I to the upper winding of relay ST to ground. Relay ST in closing its make contact I will extend the ground which operated the ST relay through the break contact 2 of relay CS to its lower winding and battery. Relay CS operates and locks through make contact 4 which is so adjusted that it connects ground from the armature I of cam 5 to the upper and lower windings of the CS relay before the operating circuit of said relay is interrupted through break contact 2.

As cam 2 extends ground through its contact 2 and armature, to the armature 3 and contact of the CS relay and the lower winding of relay CSI, said relay operates and locks from battery through its lower and upper windings, armature 3 and contact to ground on contact 3 of cam I.

During the latter part of this revolution as cam l operates its contacts, ground is extended through armature 2 and make contact of relay CSI to the winding of print magnet PL causing the character received during the previous revolution to be printed in the lower portion of the tape.

In Figs. '7 to 9 inclusive, I have illustrated more particularly and in detail, the mechanism set forth in Fig. 1, and will refer more particularly thereto for more detail information as to the mode of operation of the same.

The magnets are indicated by the reference character I I, and have keepers I5 hinged at I2, which are normally held away from the magnets by the tension springs I3, secured at one end to the support I4. and at opposite ends to the toothed discs I6, there being a separate spring for each toothed disc. From each keeper, a rod I? secured thereto as indicated at I8 extends downwardly to and bends at right angles to engage a disc such as I6, as shown to advantage in Fig. 7 at E3. The bars P normally are out of engagement with the teeth I9 of the several discs, and also ride between the teeth 20 of the guide discs ZI, 22, the rear ends being turned over as indicated at 24 to keep the same in position within the portion 25 of the frame of the device. A similar bar P, it will be observed, is shorter than the bars P and functions substantially in the same manner, that is to say, it engages the several toothed discs I6 for holding them within the limits of predetermined position, whereas the bars P extend longer so that when one of the bars P comes into alignment with the discs. when in proper combination, that particular bar will drop into the spaces between the teeth that are in alignment and will be in the path of the stop SA which predetermines the position of the printing wheel for printing. From. each of the bars P, P, small extension springs 21 extend to the ring 23 upon the shaft 29, thus keeping the bars against the peripheries of the discs I5 ready to drop into the spacings between the teeth when the spacings of the several discs are in alignment.

3!) indicates a motor driven shaft carrying worm 3I, meshing with worm-gear 32, upon shaft 33, concentrically within the hollow shaft or tube 29 which carries the guide discs H, 32, 23, the guide disc 2| having shank 34 engaged by screws 35 in standard 25. Also upon the shaft 33 is fitting 3B, suitably secured thereto and separated from the stop, SA by a disc of felt 31. At the. outer right end of the shaft 33 is provided another disc of felt 38 and a pair of wheels 39, 43, between which is secured a spring l! compressed between said wheels 39, 43 by the nut d2 when turned up on said shaft 33. The stop SA also has a tubular body portion 43 and housing 44, between the outside of which is secured a wheel of type letters TW, the other wheel 45 having type figures as shown in Fig. 1. This wheel is also provided with a ratchet wheel W at one side and a pawl 69 suitably secured in relation thereto to prevent rebound of the printing wheel in operation.

The mode of operation is. as follows: The initial movement of the toothed disc I6, causes ejection from said discs of one of the bars P normally engaged therein, and a predetermined action of the magnets establishes a predetermined alignment of certain spaces between the teeth of the discs. I6, allowing another bar P to drop therein. The stop SA being carried around by the shaft 33 and clutch connection 39, 4D, is now stopped by the projecting free end of said bar P which has thus fallen into the discs I6, and the printing wheel is thus rotated to the desired position for applying the desired character upon the paper strip T. By reference now to Fig. 10, it will be observed that the paper strip or ribbon T feeds leftwardly beneath a printing wheel such as 45, immediately beneath which is the hammer 46 pivoted at 41, and beneath it is the action or lifting L 48 pivoted at 49, the upwardly projecting portion 59 being immediately in front of the magnet 5i which being energized at the proper moment lifts the printing hammer 46 striking the paper strip T and impressing the same upon the particular character presented by the printing wheel through the opening in the paper guide 52, said printing wheel being suitably inked as by inking roller 53. The striking action for printing is in a sense similar to the action of a piano, that is to say, the printing hammer 46 normally rests below the paper strip and type wheel, leaving a. small space therebetween, and the adjustment of the lifting lever 48 is such that it does not raise the hammer entirely against the paper and wheel, but raises it with suflicient force that the momentum carries it the remaining distance allowing the hammer to rebound free of the paper and. wheel so as not to interfere with the next feeding impulse of the paper strip.

In the wiring plan shown in Fig. 6, provision is made for additional or auxiliary ticker or printing units, such as embodied in Figs. 1 and 7 to 10 inclusive, the same serving to take the place of additional. complete tickers, and when using the auxiliary units, they are connected in the receiving circuit shown in Fig. 6 as indicated at 60 to 68 inclusive, but when the auxiliary units are not needed, the magnets M3 to 68 inclusive are elimihated, the said circuit remaining otherwise the same.

Of course it will be understood that various modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a signaling system employing a start-stop distributor, means for receiving character code signals by the distributor, and means responsive to certain of the said signals for starting and stopping the distributor.

2. In a signaling system, a source of signals, a distributor normally at rest having receiving elements corresponding to a plurality of signals, means for starting said distributor and arresting it under control of received character code signals, and means for applying said character code signals received on said distributor elements successively to storage elements.

3. In a signaling system, a source of character selecting signals, means for transmitting each of the signals in any one of three different characteristics, a distributor, means for receiving said signals over said distributor, and means for controlling said distributor by said character selecting signals.

4. In a telegraphic system, a start-stop distributor, means for receiving signals by said distributor, and means for starting said distributor in operation by a signal of any one of a plurality of characteristics said signal being unlike in character to the previously received signal, and means for stopping said distributor.

5. In a telegraphic system, a start-stop distributor, means for receiving signals by said distributor, and means for starting said distributor in operation by a signal of any one of a plurality of characteristics said signal being unlike in character to the previously received signal and related thereto, and means for stopping said distributor.

6. In a telegraphic system employing a startstop distributor, means for starting said distributor in operation by one of a plurality of different character signals unlike in character to the preceding signal, and means for arresting the action of said distributor by one of a plurality of difierent character signals.

' '7. In a telegraphic system employing a startstop distributor, means for starting said distributor in operation by one of a plurality of different character signals unlike in character to the preceding signal, and means for arresting the action of said distributor by one of a plurality of different character signals, all of said signals being related to signals previously received.

8. In a signaling system, a start-stop distributor, means for starting said distributor by one of a plurality of difierent character signals unlike the preceding signal, the starting signal being related to signals received during one cycle of operation, and means for bringing said distributor to rest by one of a plurality of different character signals, the signal for stopping the distributor being related to signals received during another cycle of operation.

9. In a signaling system, a source of signals, distributor means for receiving said signals, signal storage means, and means for controlling the distributor by a signal which is a portion of a previously received character code signal.

10. In a signaling system, a source of signals, a distributor having two sets of receiving elements corresponding to a plurality of signals, two sets of storage elements, means for applying signals received on said distributor elements successively to said storage elements during a cycle of operation of said distributor, a plurality of selectors c0- acting to cause a unitary result, and means for operating said selector from said storage elements.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, a selector comprising a plurality of pairs of selector elements, a plurality of selective elements, and means for operating one of the selector elements in any or all of the pairs of selector elements for selecting one of the selective elements.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, a selector comprising a plurality of pairs of toothed discs, means for operating any one of the discs of each of the pairs of said toothed discs, all of the discs co-acting to produce a unitary result.

13. In a signaling system, signal responsive means for receiving signals over one wire, distributor means for connecting said signal responsive means to a plurality of storage devices substantially during the time of the reception of each signal, and means for transferring the signals stored on said storage devices to selector means after a cycle of operation of said distributor.

14. In a printer of the character described, a plurality of line relays for receiving signals over one line, a distributor normally at rest, means for starting said distributor by signals over said line, a plurality of storage devices for each signal received, means on said distributor for connecting said plurality of storage devices to said line relay substantially during the reception of a signal associated with said plurality of storage devices, means for arresting said distributor, and means for operating a selector by said signals after all signals for a character are received.

15. In a printer of the character described, a plurality of line relays responsive to signals received over one wire, a start-stop distributor, means for starting said distributor by the first of a series of signals, means for arresting said distributor by the last signal of said series of signals, a pair of storage devices for each of certain signals, means for connecting said pair of relays to said line relays substantially during the reception of a signal associated with said pair of relays for storing said signal thereon, means for transferring the settings of the pairs of storage relays to associated selector devices for selecting a pair of characters on a type-Wheel, and means for printing one of the characters of said pair of characters on a tape.

16. In a signaling system, a source of signals, a distributor for receiving said signals, devices for storing said signals, means responsive to the first signal received for starting the distributor, means responsive to the last signal received during a cycle of operation of the distributor for bringing said distributor to rest, and means for selecting a character by all of the signals received during one cycle of operation.

1'7. In a printing telegraph system employing a start-stop distributor, means responsive to the first signal in each group of character code signals for starting the distributor in operation, and further means also responsive to the said first signal for selecting a character in either the upper or lower case of a printer.

18. In a signaling system, a distributor, means for receiving character code signals, means for starting said distributor by a signal of said character code signals and means for bringing said distributor to rest by a signal of said character code signals.

19. In a signaling system, a distributor, means for receiving character code signals, means for operating a selector by said character code signals, and. means for starting and stopping said distributor by said character code signals.

MAX WETZLER. 

